Apparatus for the assessment of the performance of a ground source heat exchanger and associated test methods

Abstract

A testing apparatus and an associated method for assessing the performance and integrity of a ground source heat exchanger installation are provided. The testing apparatus is configured to form a fluid tight, pressure resistant connection with the pipework of a ground source heat exchanger so as to create a test system. Fluid can then be pumped through the test system as the flow rate and/or fluid pressure are measured. By collecting this data about the fluid before and after it passes through the pipework the testing apparatus enables an operator to identify differences in the upstream and downstream values that may be indicative of a fault in the pipework. Preferably, fluid is circulated through the pipework in a first flow direction and then a second flow direction and measurements collected for both are compared to provide further detail of possible faults in the pipework.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ground source heat exchanger heat transfer loop testing apparatus comprising:
 a first fluid conduit provided with a first flow meter and/or pressure monitor and a first heat exchanger engagement means;   a second fluid conduit provided with a second flow meter and/or pressure monitor and a second heat exchanger engagement means;   wherein the first and second heat exchanger engagement means are configured to form a fluid tight connection with pipework of a ground source heat exchanger that creates a flow path that runs through the first and second fluid conduits via the pipework, said pipework taking the form of either a single heat transfer loop or a plurality of heat transfer loops connected in series; and   a fluid pumping means, which is connectable to a fluid source, configured to create a flow of fluid within the flow path that runs through the first and second fluid conduits via the pipework in either a first or a second direction, whereby the second direction is the reverse of the first direction;   wherein the fluid source is an integrated storage tank that is connected to both the first and second fluid conduits so that, in use, a complete loop is formed by the pipework of the ground source heater exchanger and the apparatus; and   wherein the first and second flow meters and/or pressure monitors are configured to measure the flow rate and/or pressure of the fluid before it enters the pipework of the ground source heat exchanger and after it leaves the pipework of the ground source heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid pumping means are configured to be reversible such that fluid can be pumped through the pipework in either the first or the second direction. 
     
     
         3 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid conduits are additionally connected via a valve assembly that is configured to manage the direction of flow of the fluid entering/leaving the pipework of a ground source heat exchanger via said heat exchanger engagement means. 
     
     
         4 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one filtration means located on the first and/or second fluid conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sterilising means located on the first and/or second fluid conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The testing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sterilising means is selected from a group consisting of a biocide delivery module, an ultra-violet light source, a pasteurization module, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one dump valve located on the first and/or second fluid conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one viewing window provided in the first and/or second fluid conduit. 
     
     
         9 . A method of testing the integrity of pipework in a ground source heat exchanger, said pipework taking the form of a heat transfer loop or a plurality of heat transfer loops connected in series, said method comprising:
 a) connecting a fluid storage tank to the pipework of a ground source heat exchanger via fluid conduits to form a test system with a fluid flow path that passes through the pipework;   b) pumping fluid around the fluid flow path of the test system such that fluid is recirculated via the storage tank; and   c) measuring the fluid flow rate and/or fluid pressure both before and after the fluid enters the pipework and comparing the fluid flow rates and/or fluid pressure upstream and downstream of the pipework to identify any changes in the fluid flow rate/fluid pressure associated with the pipework.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of reversing the direction of fluid flow through the pipework of the ground source heat exchanger and repeating the measurements carried out on the fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of filtering the fluid to remove particulates that might otherwise accumulate within the test system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising sterilizing the fluid to prevent the build-up of bacteria within the test system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid is sterilized by:
 i) introducing a biocide into the fluid;   ii) subjecting the fluid to UV light and/or heat to kill bacteria in the fluid; or   iii) a combination of both i) and ii).   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the method step of providing a viewing window at a point in the flow path downstream of the pipework and visually monitoring the fluid as it flows passed the viewing window. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising operating at least one dump valve to evacuate air and/or particulates within the fluid from the test system prior to carrying out step c). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the integrity of the pipework is tested both before and after it is installed in the ground and then the measurement collected in step c) are compared to identify faults that may have been formed during the installation of the pipework.